Spotlight on Indigenous - Fair Trade and Eco Fashion

INDIGENOUS is an organic and fair trade clothing manufacturer and retailer. You may have seen their adds on the internet, as they are one of the leaders in ethical fashion. Their beautiful and stylish clothing is made from fibers such as Alpaca wool, organic cotton, silk, and Merino wool. The clothing is hand made by artisans in South America giving many of the items a traditional yet modern flair. I have yet to acquire one of their pieces, but I am sure that any of the pieces would be a well used staple in a wardrobe.

"Each time you wear fair trade clothing, you are working to actively preserve artisan traditions while supporting fair wages and safe working environments. Designer fair trade clothing is the height of fashion, because it expresses your personal style while staying true to your morals. Because we’re all part of the fabric of humanity."

Indigenous offers:

• Free shipping every day
• Fair Trade, organic clothing
• Superior comfort and style
• Organic certified cotton, GOTS processing, and Oekotex 100 approved dyes
• Womens and Mens line

Unfortunately, I haven't received approval for posting any photos of their beautiful clothing, but please check them out at the link above.

You can find Indigenous on the following social media sites:
https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousDesigns
http://www.pinterest.com/indigenous/
https://twitter.com/indigenous
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+IndigenousDesigns/posts
http://www.youtube.com/user/IndigenousDesigns

Spotlight on Pashen

While surfing the web for sustainable clothing resources, I came across the site Eco Fashion World, and in turn its owner and editor Magaly Fuentes-Sagan. This woman’s accomplishments and sustainable vision are inspiring, and I would like to spotlight her women’s clothing company Pashen.

Pashen is an online women's ethical clothing boutique. “The Pashen collection is a womens' clothing and accessories brand created as an homage to art, craftsmanship, culture, sustainability and ethics in fashion.”

Ethics in fashion - that is a very important yet often overlooked aspect of sustainable clothing. It is not just about the materials. It is also about the aspects of how, where, and by whom it is made; as well as how long the item is going to last. I think that Magaly has overcome a large hurdle in the fashion industry of finding and enlisting artisans to make beautiful handmade items to bring to the market. These handmade items are not only sustainable and fair trade, but quality items you can enjoy for many seasons.

Pashen is a true beacon of light in the fashion industry, and I hope that you will visit their website to see what they have to offer! I absolutely love the Heart Strings Alpaca Wool Shawl below - what a beautiful way to be sustainable!

Images courtesy of Pashen

Images by Becky Prada of Secret Garden Photography

Like what you see? You can follow Pashen on the following social media sites:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pashencollection
Blog: https://www.pashencollection.com/blog/
Twitter: @followpashen
Instagram: http://instagram.com/pashencollection

Spotlight on PACT

Logo Courtesy of PACT

I came across PACT during my online search for sustainable clothing resources, and was immediately drawn to the site by the advertisement photo: Two young people with long underwear on, having a good time. If you know me, you know that I love comfort, and I love organic clothing. I also love fun, which I tend to get plenty of with two little kids at home! I love that feeling of comfort and warmth when that chilly nip is in the air. PACT offers under-clothing basics that you can feel good in, and good about wearing!

PACT statement: 
"PACT is a movement disguised as a clothing company. We are obsessed with a big idea: clothes that make the world a better place."

What makes PACT special? 
PACT isn't just about making a profit. "Each season, PACT designs a new collection of clothing inspired by someone doing something good: whether it’s about clean water, sustainable food, or affordable housing..." They source their organic cotton from family run farms, and uphold fair trade practices. Their socks are made with 100% Wind Energy, and even their packaging is eco-friendly. You have to love a company with values behind its products.

Offerings:  Everyday essentials such as socks and undergarments

Womens: T shirts, long johns, camis, undergarments, tights, leggings, and socks

Mens: T shirts, long johns, undergarments, and socks

Child: None

Baby: Beanies, socks, bodysuits

Materials: GOTS certified organic cotton, organic cotton blends, linen blends

Made in: Turkey

Below are two of my favorites from their site which I have recently ordered, and hope to receive soon!

Women's Over-the-Knee Slouchy Sock in beige
Photo courtesy of PACT

Men's Fair Isle Long Johns
Photo Courtesy of PACT

I absolutely love their Fair Isle print which is available in long johns, camis, socks, tights, undies, and baby beanies.

I decided to write about this company early on in my blog, as fall is here and the winter season will soon be upon us. PACT offers some very fun long johns, tights, and socks to make those fall and winter days and nights a little bit warmer. I could just see myself snuggling up by the fire with a pair of those long johns on! They would also make a welcome and fun gift for the holidays.

You can visit PACT at:

www.wearpact.com

www.facebook.com/wearPACT

What is in My Closet? My Favorite Eco-friendly Clothing Brands

I have a couple of brands that I tend to stick to, mainly because the prices are reasonable and they offer active clothing. As someone who likes to go from workout to computer to pick up the kids at school, I appreciate the ability to transition throughout my day in the same outfit! This does not mean that there are no other brands out there that I love, and I will feature many more brands in articles to come. The top three brands you will find in my closet unfortunately only offer women's clothing, besides Gaiam which has a very small mens section.

Blue Canoe Organic
Clothing you can wear all day, every day.

Offerings: Women's active wear and casual wear

Materials: Organic cotton and Bamboo Rayon

Made in: San Francisco, USA

My fave from Blue Canoe (now discontinued):

I love this dress! The fabrics are soft and flowing, and it drapes very well.

Their clothing can transition from studio, to work, to home. 

Although I love some of their clothing, I find that I have to pick through their offerings, as they are not all my style. I also don't care for their newer color selections. I tend to stick with a black/white/gray palette. I do love their yoga pants with the fold over waist option - this helps to hide the "mommy pouch" that I have after 3 kids!

Gaiam
"We bring you eco-friendly, organic products and healthy living solutions to help you live your best life."

Offerings: Women's active wear and casual wear, sleepwear, footwear, accessories, and a very small offering of mens active wear

Materials: Organic Cotton, Bamboo Rayon , Silk, Upcycled Acrylic and Polyester

Made in: USA and elsewhere (fair trade)

My fave from Gaiam (now discontinued):

I love Gaiam clothing for the luxurious feel and comfort of the clothing , and for the design offerings. I like the color palette, and styling is sophisticated yet casual. To the left is my favorite fall and winter cardigan, but for summer I like this lightweight wrap below:

Aventura
"AventuraClothing.com is helping the Earth... One garment at a time with organic and eco-friendly clothing desined for women."

Offerings: Womens casual clothing, Accessories

Materials: Organic cotton, Spandex, Viscose/Modal, Nylon, 

Made in: USA

My fave from Aventura: 

This Ella shirt is still available on the website, and they also make an "Ella" dress. I love the top, it hides what I want it to, and I think would flatter any figure. I love the colors they have to offer, and the designs are super cute and wearable! You can find some awesome deals on their SALE tab.

*Be aware that not all of the clothing options are organic and/or natural.If you are like me, you can pick and choose what you like from the site, as they have a decent selection. 

I have more brands to introduce you to, so stay tuned!

What does “Mode Eco” Mean?

I know that some of you will be asking this, so I decided to post on this right away. The word "mode" is French for fashionable, or stylish. Eco stands for ecological, sustainable, and organic. So this blog is about Eco fashion, and where you can find it. In America, the word "mode" is mainly associated with the phrase "a la mode", which to us means putting ice cream on a desert. In France, "à la mode" means in style, or in fashion. We may explore how that phrase became something associated with ice cream at a later date!

I have always had a passion for fashion, and in the past 10 years have become aware of the importance of living a sustainable life. I have tried to live by the rule of buying only organic or used. Don't get me wrong, I do have many conventional items in my possession. I would love to have only eco-friendly items in my home, but that is not always an option. But once one has the realization of sustainable living, it weaves its way into your life, no matter what your socioeconomic status or lifestyle. You start to think if you really need that item, or what it is made of, or where it comes from. Once you gain that knowledge, it is difficult to ignore it.

It is important that I emphasize that the fashion that I love is not only eco-friendly, but must be comfortable and attractive as well. This fashion is not your run of-the-mill tie died T shirts, or your boring unbleached clothing. This is wear every day, for work, for play, for day or night kind of clothing. Clothing that you feel good buying and feel good in.

Photo courtesy of PhotoPin

We will explore the world of sustainable textiles and growing practices, as well as the eco-designers and where you can buy organic and sustainable clothing for the whole family. I would also like to incorporate a non-fashion post on Saturdays, to introduce the many eco-friendly companies out there offering everyday goods. I have found in my search that I cannot find all of the clothing items I need for my whole family in one place, and it is a dream of mine to be able to offer that through an online store and ultimately a storefront as well. But for now, the budget allows only the blog, where I can interact with others of my mindset and hopefully gain more understanding of what others are looking for as well. I hope that my posts will be helpful to you.

My journey starts here, and I would be so happy if you joined me! I welcome your input, so please let me know how I can improve, and what you would like to see on my blog.